we surveyed more than 4,000 voters. 31% say the economy is the most important issue in this campaign. 22% cite social security reform. 13% say energy policy. including the use of nuclear power is their top issue. we also asked voters who they believe is more qualified to be prime minister after the lower house elections. 20% say the leader of the governing democratic party . 20% say the leader of the governing democratic party yoshihiko noda, who is currently prime minister. 25% say the leader of the main opposition liberal democratic party, shinzo abe. 49% say neither. our poll also suggests the approval rating for noda's cabinet has hit a record low of 21%. that's down one percentage point from a survey taken a week ago. the disapproval rating fell by two percentage points to 62%. many of the people we spoke to seemed eager to cast ballots on december 16th. 88% told nhk they would go out to vote. >>> new auto sales in japan fell in november for a third straight month, but the pace of decline was so slow that it was almost flat. industry groups said on monday that 393,000 cars, truck